But Commisso's abrupt exit from the race Monday, just as Democratic Party leaders were gathering to affirm their support for him, stunned many Democrats and has potentially turned what might have been a relatively routine confirmation vote into a hotly contested battle among at least four other Democrats for the party's endorsement.

A fifth candidate is expected to join the race in the coming weeks, and others may still emerge with Commisso's long shadow gone.

"Things are always in a flux today. You just have to roll with the punches on this stuff," Albany County Democratic Chairman Matthew Clyne said Tuesday morning.

Clyne said he learned of Commisso's decision Monday night as the party's executive committee was preparing to meet.

"I was surprised. But these things are always complex. It was a big move and is a huge commitment of time, resources and energy," Clyne said. "I think Frank, he's generally pretty objective, and he knows what he wants, and he's concluded that his interests are best served by remaining in the (county) legislature. And he may be right about that."

The new 109th Assembly District seat, which McEneny has held in some form for two decades, is just one of three in the county in which the incumbent Democrat is walking away, a rare glut of political opportunity that has sparked a Rugby scrum of sorts among Democrats waiting in the wings.

The district is heavily Democratic and covers the southwestern parts of the city of Albany and the towns of Guilderland, New Scotland and Bethlehem. The winner of the Sept. 13 Democratic primary — which promised to be crowded even with Commisso in it — would presumably go on to face Guilderland Republican Ted Danz and Conservative Party member Joseph Sullivan of Albany in November's general election.

Candidates cannot begin the process of securing their places on the ballot until next month.

Commisso, who has served in the County Legislature for three decades, bowed out of the race saying he wanted to instead focus on the work that remains to be done in county government.

"I feel dedicated to the people that supported me for many, many years — and that I owe it to them," Commisso said, noting his latest term began just five months ago. "This wasn't an easy decision by any means. ... I feel strongly that we would have been successful."

Still, several Democrats interviewed were by turns stunned and befuddled by his sudden departure from a race in which many considered him the favorite.

Among other things, they noted, Commisso retired from his job as business manager of the Port of Albany in late April, he said, to focus on his campaign. Yet Commisso never formally filed the paperwork with state to create an Assembly campaign committee.

"Everybody's trying to figure it out," said one high-ranking county Democrat.

In the aftermath, Clyne said he'll leave it to the party's membership to decide on Wednesday night which candidate to support. He was firm that he believes the party should take a side but acknowledged committee members could opt for no endorsement.

"We're going to go forward. Come hell or high water," Clyne said. "If that's what the committee wanted, fine, but I think you're going to get an endorsement. I think the party should always endorse."

Others including two of the other Democrats in the race — county legislators Christopher Higgins of Albany and Bryan Clenahan of Guilderland — contended that given the unusual circumstances issuing no endorsement was the fairest way to go.

"I think everything changed as of yesterday," said former Albany school board member Patricia Fahy, who is also running for the Democratic nomination. "I'm surprised as anybody. And at this point I've been accepting the support that people have offered."

The fourth publicly declared Democrat in the race, Margarita Perez, could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

A fifth, William McCarthy, an assistant attorney general and Albany native is said to be readying to enter the contest in the coming weeks.

Several observers also said they expected Guilderland Supervisor Kenneth Runion to re-consider a bid for the seat. Runion interviewed for the party's backing in April but unlike others said he wouldn't primary the party's chosen candidate.

Runion was noncommital when asked Tuesday, noting he was still digesting the implications of Commisso's last-minute exit.

"People have been calling me and talking to me about it. I can't really tell you one way or the other," he said. "I've never seen something happen like this before."